It's summer time and the weather is perfect for doing anything. Riding your bike for example. But your bike is rusty and ancient. Summer time is also good for painting as the dry conditions allow you to air dry things quickly outside without fear of water spots. So you're bored with your bike and want something a bit different? Well you could follow the example of many people who are staying one step ahead in cycling chic and buying hipster fixed gear bikes. You could follow the examples put forward in Patrick Kingsley's blog, start shopping round the independant cycle manufacturers in London for a sharp, garish two wheeler and look the height of hipster bike fashion. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/09/cycling-grand-designs-custom-built?INTCMP=SRCH.
Cost
However, like clothes fashion, it's not a cheap thing. So if you're wanting that custard and rhubarb coloured ride but don't want to pay £££ for it then read on. This post will tell you how to get the bike your heart desires on budget by stripping down your old bike or a frame you have spare and painting it to look the coolest thing screaming through the streets. All this can be accomplished for a fraction of the price.
First and foremost, you'll need access to tools. There aren't many, simply a few sets of wrenches, pliers for uncooperative components and plently of marked bags so you can find all the bits that come off the bike after painting
Dissassembly
Use your tools to disconnect all the systems from the bike, that means saddle, gears, handlebars, brakes; the lot. As you remove components, carefully put each set of components and associated nuts and bolts into their respective bags and seal them to avoid their loss. Also, remove the wheels to make the frame easier to work with.
Pre-paint Prep
To get a decent paint job, make sure that you have the right kit to begin with. You'll need:
Sandpaper / aka glasspaper - various grades coarse to fine (200 grit to 800 grit with a few grades in between to give your steed a full deep colour)
paint stripper
thick waterproof gloves
dustmask - to avoid breathing in paint fumes and paint dust
various paints - White primer to give an even base coat
Any colour spray paint you want
clear laquer spray ( to protect your nice new colour scheme)
Masking tape (to a specific colour scheme onto your frame)
newspaper (to cover any great areas of the bike you don't want to be sprayed)
cardboard (to protect the surroundings from spraying)
Firstly, sand your frame and apply paint stripper. Do this in a well ventilated area and be careful with the paint stripper as if it can remove paint from a bike, it's liable to do worse to you. I recommend Nitromors, available from most DIY shops. Apply with a sponge / rag and with gloves applied. Use till the original colour is dulled and the surface of the frame is roughed up so the paint will stick.
Now wash the frame with soapy water to remove any dust and remaining paint stripper. Allow to dry. Get your primer and give the frame 2 / 3 good thorough coats with sanding with the coarse sand paper and washing in between to ensure the primer is sticking and giving good cover. I got my spray paints from
Once priming is done, sand and wash the frame again to give a surface for painting with the top coat. Apply your top coat in about 4/5 layers with sanding in ever finer grades of sandpaper, finishing with 800 grit 3(the finest grade). After this stage, your bike should have a deep rich colour and any semblance of the original colour should be a distant memory.
To finish the job, use a couple of coats of clear laquer to cover the bike in a thick, scratch resistant coating to prevent your 'new' bike from being scratched. Be warned that all of the spraying stages should be performed in a well ventilated area to avoid the toxic effects from the spray paint propellant.
All Done
Afterward, reassamble your bike and ride around in style on your garish new ride. Should be able to accomplish this for less than £60.However, if this is too much effort for you and the garish colours aren't your thing, send your frame off to a chromers and they'll coat your frame in chrome for ~£250-300 http://www.ashfordchroming.com/get-chroming-prices
Good luck. Send in your photos and comments.
